Gameday Blog: Bruins vs. Sabres

The Bruins got two goals of their own in the second period, but
still trail Buffalo as they’ll head into the third down
3-2.

Tyler Seguin got the B’s on the board at the 3:37 mark of
the middle frame, rifling home a one-timer on a feed from Patrice
Bergeron on the power play to make it 2-1.

But Buffalo answered answered with 8:58 remaining in the frame.
T.J. Brennan stumbled upon a loose puck at just right the moment
and banged it past Tim Thomas to make it 3-1 Sabres.

After getting rocked at center ice, Brad Marchand got up and
chugged toward the offensive zone. No. 63 came around the back of
the cage and wristed a shot over Enroth to make it 3-2.

With 1:24 to go, Drew Stafford went hard to the net and bumped
Tim Thomas. Andy Ference took exception. The two dropped the gloves
and, while few punches were exchanged, the Bruins d-man once again
showed that Boston had no intention of taking any crap in
tonight’s tilt.

The B’s looked a lot better in the middle frame,
out-shooting Buffalo 13-6, but they’ll need at least one goal
in the next 20 minutes if they want to stretch their winning streak
to ten games.

FIRST INTERMISSION

SCORE
BOS – 0
BUF – 2

SHOTS
BOS – 12
BUF – 16

The Bruins may be winning the fights, but Buffalo — thus
far — is winning the war. the Sabres will take a 2-0 lead
into the second period.

As expected, Milan Lucic dropped the gloves early in this one,
with Paul Gaustad being the challenger for Buffalo. Gaustad got
whooped, taking a number of hard rights from Lucic — who came
onto the ice smiling, knowing a bout was bound to happen off the
faceoff.

But at the 9:01 mark, shortly after he got out of the box, Lucic
was whistled for an abominably bad roughing call. Buffalo
didn’t capitalize, but it wouldn’t be long before they
were back on the PP.

When Brad Marchand laid a clean hit on Nathan Gerbeg, Gaustad
came over and railroaded the B’s winger. Zdeno Chara jumped
in and eventually threw down with Robyn Regehr, thumping the Sabres
winger. Somehow, Buffalo got a power play out of this.

Christian Ehrhoff took advantage 23 ticks later, scoring on a
slapper from the point to put his team ahead 1-0.

At the 14:37 mark, Drew Stafford came in one-on-one and wound up
banging into Tim Thomas. Penalty on Buffalo? Never! Dennis
Seidenberg was “guilty” of hooking him.

Thomas Vanek’s goal 45 seconds later put them ahead by two
goals.

Luke Adam went for “slashing” Adam McQuaid with 3:47
to go, an undoubtedly weak call as McQuaid merely had his stick
knocked out of his hands with no effort, giving the B’s their
first PP. Boston failed to get a timely goal and cut the lead in
half.